Presser foot for sewing machines



March 1934- N. v. CHRISTENSEN El AL 1,952,535

PRESSER FOOT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Sept. 9, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet l Zinnentors Maw}! 1934- N. v. CHRISTENSEN El A 1,952,535

PRESSER FOOT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Sept. 9, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 MR, m: gg

I H I 1' I I I I" March N. v. CHRISTENSEN El AL 1,952,535

PRESSER FOOT FOR SEWING MACKINES Filed Sept. 9, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Mamb 1934- N. v. CHRISTENSEN El AL 1,952,535

PRESSER FOOT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Sept. 9, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Snventor s 5 mm Rimbaud:

3. W W Gttornegfi.

Mar h 7, 1934- N. v. CHRISTENSEN ET AL 1,952,535

PRESSER FOOT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Sept. 9, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 3nnentor8 GttornegS' I h fPnZI Patented Mar. 27,1934

UNITED STATES PTENT OFFICE 'PRESSER FOOT FOR SEWING MACHINES Machine Company, C of Illinois Application September 27 Claims.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in a presser foot for sewing machines, and more particularly a presser foot usedon a machine for trimming the upturned edge portions of fabric sections, turning sa d trimmed edge portions into flat relation to each other and joining the same by covering stitches.

It is a common expedient to provide a presser foot for trimming, un'ting and covering the edge portions with rigid fabric engaging members disposed at opposite sides of the presser foot, which members are mounted to yield independent of each other. It is also a common expedient to prov'de a presser foot of this type with spring bottom members which yield independently because of the inherent yielding qualities of the members themselves. 7

An object of the present invention is to provide a presser foot of the above type with fabric engaging members at opposite s'des thereof which are flexible, and with spring means bearing on each flexible member and tending to force the fabric engaging portion thereof away from the body portion of the foot.

A further object of the invention is to provide a presser foot of the above type where n the spring means is so related to the flexible member as to exert a depressing force thereon throughout the entire fabric engaging portion of the member.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a presser foot of the above type wherein said flexible members are capable of y'elding progressively from the forward end thereof to the rear end thereof during the passing of a cross seam beneath the foot, so that the fabric in the region of the stitching point will be at all times under control of said flexible members.

A still further object of the inventon is to pro-- vide a presser foot of the above type wherein the flexible members are mounted on the body portion of the presser foot so as to prevent lateral movement of the flexible members thereon, and at the same time to permit flexible members to be unhooked from said body portion of the foot and removed.

These and other objects will inpart be obvious and will in part be hereinafter more fully disclosed.

In the drawings which show by way of illustration one embodiment of the invention- Figure 1 is a side view of a portion of a sewing machine showing the improved presser foot atcached thereto and rased from the work support to a position to permit the insertion or removal of the work operated upon;

hicago, EL, a corporation 9, 1?;32, Serial No. 632,444

Fig. 2 is a view partly in section and partly plan of the same;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the presser foot;

Fig. 4 is a s de View of the presser foot showing a cross seam under the front part of the flexible member;

Fig. 5 is a similar view, but showing the cross seam just as it reaches the stitching point;

Fig. 6 is a similar View, but showing the cross seam at the rear end of the presser foot;

Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional View on the line 7-7 of Fig. 4c, and showing one layer of fabric section at each side of the center of the foot;

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. '7, but showing two layers of fabric section at the left of the foot, with one at the right of the foot, as viewed therein;

9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but showing two layers offabric section at the right of the foot and one layer at the left of the foot;

- Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the shank and the body portion of the foot;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the flexible member which is attached to the left side of the foot as viewed from the front thereof;

Fig. 12 is a perspective View of the leaf depressing spring used in connection with the flexible member and bearing thereon adjacent the stitching point, and

Fig. 13 is a perspective View of the leaf spring used in connection with the flexible member and bearing thereon at the front end thereof.

The invention is directed to a presser foot for sewing machines which is especially adapted for guiding and directing fabric sections, so that they may be trimmed, after which the trimmed edges are placed either in abutted relation or overlapped relation and united by stitching threads, which stitching threads not only join the edge portions, but cover the raw edges of the trimmed fabric sections. The presser foot includes a shank portion which is adapted to be attached to a presser bar which is yieldingly depressed toward the work support in the usual manner. Rigid with the shank portion is the body portion of the foot which is provided with a needle opening, and in advance of the needle opening is a channel or slot extending in the general direction of the foot from the front end of the foot to a point directly'in front of the needle opening. This channel receives the upturned edge portions and directs the same to horizontally disposed trimming devices.

The invention is directed particularly to the construction of the fabric engaging portions of the presser foot. Extending along the body portion of the foot and underneath the foot at each side of the channel or slot therein is a flexible member. These flexible members engage the fabric and cooperate in controlling the same during feeding, trimming and stitching. Each flexible member is shaped so as to be hooked over the upturned toe of the body portion of the presser foot and extends all the way to the rear of the presser foot where it is upturned so as to extend up in rear of the body portion. of the foot. The front end of the flexible member is slotted to engage a pin on the body portion of the foot, and likewise the rear end is slotted to engage a pin on the body portion of the foot. This prevents lateral movement of the flexible member relative to the body portion of the foot. The two flexible members are similar in construction, but are mounted entirely independent of each other, and each is free to be hooked on to the foot or removed therefrom by lowering the rear end of the flexible member and slipping it off from the toe portion. There is a spring member associated with each flexible member and bearing on the same in the region of the stitching of the fabric sections, which spring member normally tends to force the flexible member away from the body portion of the foot. Each flexible member projects some distance in front of the body portion of the foot and a leaf spring carried by the body portion bears on the extreme front end of the flexible member and is constantly tending to depress the same. This holds the hook end of the flexible member in engagement with the body portion of the foot.

It is thought that possibly the invention will be better understood by a detail description of the illustrated embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, the presser foot is shown applied to a sewing machine which is provided with a work supporting arm 1 on which tubular articles are formed and stitched. It will be understood, however, that the presser foot may be used in connection with other types of machines. The presser foot includes a shank portion 2 which is secured to a presser bar 3. Said presser bar is mounted in the overhanging arm of the machine and is depressed by the usual spring means.

The present machine is especially adapted for joining the edge portions of fabric sections and covering the raw edges of the same. The machine is shown as provided with four needles indicated at 4. Cooperating with these needles beneath the work support is a complemental stitch forming mechanism (not shown), which may be of any desired construction. Cooperating with the needles above the work support is a cross thread laying mechanism including a loop positioning arm 5.

The presser foot includes a body portion 6 provided with a needle opening '7 and with a channel or slot 8 extending in the general direction of the feed from the front end of the foot to a point directly in front of the needle opening. This channel receives the upturned edge portions and directs the same to the horizontally disposed trimming mechanism which includes a stationary trimming blade 9 carried by the body portion of the presser foot, and a movable trimming blade 10 carried by an arm 11 formed as a part of a collar 12 which is clamped to a sleeve 13 surrounding the presser bar 3. When this sleeve is oscillated, movements are imparted to the movable trimming blade for shearing on" the upturned edge portions thereof. There is a deflector 14 for the trimmed off edge portions, and the body portion of the foot is provided with a deflecting slot or recess 15 for receiving and directing said trimmed off portions. The channel or slot 8 at the rear end thereof is provided with a suitably shaped recess 16 (see Fig. 3) which operates to turn down the edge portions. The walls of the channel will be shaped at the inner end thereof so as to lay the edge portions either in abutted relation or lapped relation, as desired.

The parts described in detail thus far, are of the usual construction, and further detail description thereof is not thought necessary.

The invention is directed particularly to the fabric engaging portions of the presser foot. Mounted on the body portion 6 of the presser foot at each side of the channel or slot 8 is a flexible member. These flexible members are similar in construction. The one at the left of the foot as viewed from the front thereof is indicated at 17, and the one at the right of the foot is indicated at 18. This flexible member is of metal and is preferably of steel tempered so that it has little or no spring action, but will return when released from the action of the cross seam to normal straight position, and it is also sufficiently hard to withstand the wear incident to the feed dogs contacting therewith during chaining off. One of the flexible members is shown in detail in Fig. 11. It consists of a portion 19 which is bent back into the form of a hook and is adapted to be hooked over the front end of the body portion 6. Said portion 19 is provided with a slot 20 which straddles a pin 21 on the body portion of the foot. This slot is of substantially the same width as the pin, and prevents the flexible member from moving laterally relative to the body portion of the foot, and at the same time permits said member to be freely moved in a lengthwise direction of the foot for the attachment of the flexible member to the body portion of the foot or the removal of the same therefrom.

As ciearly shown in Figures 4 to 6 of the drawings, the portion 19 is bent upwardly at an angle at its free end as indicated at 19 so as toconform to the tapered face of the body portion of the foot indicated at 6. The portion 19 of the flexible member extends some distance in front of the foot where it is bent backward upon itself to form the inclined portion 22. This inclined portion 22 extends into the horizontal fabric engaging portion of the flexible member. The rear end of the flexible member is upturned as indicated at 23. This upturned portion is provided with a slot 24. The body portion 6 of the presser foot at the rear end thereof is provided with proiecting lugs 25, 25. There is one at each side of the foot, and the slot 24 in the flexible member straddles its respective lug 25. This lug permits the rear end of the flexible member to move vertically freely, but limits the lateral movement thereof. The flexible member is shaped so that the edge portion 26 thereof extends along the wall of the chanel 8 (see Fig. 3) The flexible member, from a point in rear of the needle opening to the rear end thereof is recessed as indicated at 27. Located in rear of the needle opening is a fabric engaging portion 28 which is carried by the shank 2 of the presser foot and has a yielding movement into engagement with the fabric. This section is for the purpose of chaining, and is of the usual construction.

Associated with each flexible member is a depressing spring which is shown in the drawings arm 36.

of the drawings, the leaf springs are located portion of the foot at all times.

in the form of a leaf spring. There-are, inifact, two leaf springs. The leaf spring 2 9 is attached to a lug 30 carried by the body portion of the foot. Said spring is secured to the lug by a clamping screw 31 whichpasses through an opening 32in the end of the leaf spring.v

The leaf spring extends forward from its supporting lug and overlies the extreme forward end of the flexible member. Said leaf spring is curved upwardly and downwardly as indicated at 33 so as to receive the extreme curved end of the flexible member. This leaf spring forces the forward end of the flexible member downward until thcportion 19 thereof is in contact with the inclined wall 6 of the foot. The down- Ward pressure on the end of the foot is tending to turn the flexible, member about the contacting point with the front of the body portion of the foot as a fulcrum line, and this tends to raise the rear end of the flexible member.

Also bearing on the flexible member is a depressing spring34 which is likewise in the form of a leaf spring. This depressing spring 34 is bent upwardly and backwardly at its front end so as to overlie the lug 30 and is secured by the clamping screw 31 which passes through the opening 35 in the upturned end. This rigidly clamps theleaf spring to the lug. Said leaf spring is provided with a laterally projecting As clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3 outside of the body portion of the presser foot and are, therefore, at one side of the flexible members. The same is true of the leaf spring 29. The arm 36, however, extends over the flexible member and bears on the upper face thereof. The leaf spring is also provided with an upwardly bent portion 3'7 carrying a second arm 38 which overlies a ledge 39 on the body portion of the foot. This arm 39 is a stop arm to limit the downward movements of the leaf spring 34 when the presser foot is raised from engagement with the material and the work support beneath the same.

From the above it will be apparent that the flexible member at each side of the foot is connected to the body portion of the foot so that the fabric engaging portions of the flexible members are free to contact with and move out of engagement with said body portion of the presser foot. The fabric engaging portions of the flexible members are independently movable, and there is .a spring means associated with each and bearing on the flexible member which is tending to move the same away from the body This provides a means whereby the flexible members may be easily attached to or detached from the body portion of the foot. Each flexible member is attached by engaging the slotted forward end thereof with the pin carried by the toe of the presser foot, and then pressing the member. rearwardly until the forward end thereof snaps under its associated overhanging leaf spring 29-. It may be removed by a pulling movement in the opposite direction. This is all accomplished Without releasing any screwsor holding devices ofany character.

In Fig. '7 of the drawings, the work support is indicated'at 40 and the throat plate at 41. The throat. plate is provided with needle slots 42 through which the needles pass, and between these needle slots arethe stitch tongues which are of the usual construction. As shown in this figure, there-are two fabric sections F'and F being joined which are of substantially the same thickness. The flexible member 17 is in contact with the fabric section F, and the flexible'member 18 is in contact with the fabric section F'. The arms 36 of the leaf springs are located so as to engage the fabric sections just infront of the stitching point, as viewed in Fig. 3, and the. section in Fig. '7 is taken through these arms and is, therefore, just in front of the stitching point. The fabric sections are held in engagement with the feed dog or work support and both-fabric sections are under full control of these flexible :fabric engaging members. The body portion of thefoot is provided with a cut away. or recessed section 43 directly above the arm 36, at one side of the foot, and with a recessed portion .44 directly above the arm 36 at the other side of the foot section.

armso that when there is one fabric section only at each side of the foot, and these fabric sections are of uniform thickness, the body portion of the foot will be in engagement with the flexible members, forcing said flexible members into confact with the fabric sections beneath the same. In other words, the pressure of the springjon the presser bar is operating through the body portion of the foot to force the flexible fabric engaging :members into contact with the fabric sections being stitched.

In Fig. 8 of the drawings, there are two fabric sections F and F at the left side, while there is only one fabric section F at the right side. The body portion of the presser foot at the left side is in engagement with the flexible member 1? which is forced into contact with the two fabric sections, clamping the same against the work support or the feed dog during stitching. fabric section F at the right, however, is forced into contact with the work support solely through the aid of the leaf springs bearing on the flexible member 18. It will be noted that the flexible member has moved away from the body portion of the foot to bring about this clamping and conitrolling of the fabric section of a single thickness.

In Fig. 9 of the drawings there are two fabric thereon. It will be apparent, therefore, that the,

fabric sections, whether they be of uniform thickness at each side, or of varying thickness, for any reason, will be under perfect control and clamped against the work support so as to hold the fabric sections and direct the same properly to the trimming mechanism and in overlapped relation to the stitching mechanism.

In Figures 4 to 6 of the drawings, the manner 'in which the improved flexible fabric engaging members control the fabric sections during the passing of a cross seam beneath the foot is illustrated. In Fig. 4, the cross seam which is indicated at c is" shown as passing underneath the front end of the foot. The flexible member will yield in'th'e region of the cross seam so that the body portion of the presser foot will bear on the flexible member directly over the cross seam, and this limits the downward movement of the body portion of the presser foot. The flexible member in rear of the cross seam is forced down by-the leaf'spring 34 through the arm 36 bearing At the This recess is of such depth as to completely house the :on the flexible member. This is true .atboth sides of the presser i'oot, if the cross seam extends into both fabric sections. If it only extends into .one section, then of course, one flexible member only will respond to the condition of the cross seam, while the other flexible member will control thefabric section that is without any cross seam. The portion of the flexible member in rear of the cross seam is forced downward into contact with the work support or the feed dog, so that at the stitching point, thefabric section being stitched is properly held down on the work support or the feed dog. This not only prevents drum heading, but it holds the edge portions under proper control so that they will be trimmed the right distance for overlapping and properly overlapped and stitched, or properly abutted and stitched. In Fig. 5, the cross seam is shown as at the stitching point. At this time, the body por tion of the presser foot is bearing on the flexible member at each side of the arm 36, and the arm 36 is forced into this recess in the under face of the body portion of the presser foot so that the flexible member is substantially in contact with the body portion of the presser foot from end to end thereof. At this time, the fabric sections are clamped only in the region of the cross seam, but they are clamped at the stitching point which is the essential point of engagement with the fabric sections. When the cross seam reaches the rear end of the presser foot, the combined action of the leaf springs bearing on the flexible member will force the flexible member into contact with the fabric section in the region of the stitching point and at the front end of the presser foot so that the fabric is under control at the stitching point and in the region of trimming.

When the presser foot is raised from the fabric sections and the work support, as shown in Fig. 1, the ledge on the body portion of the presser foot limits the downward movement of the leaf spring 34 and the leaf spring 29 bearing on the front end of the flexible member will retain said flexible member in contact with the arm of the leaf spring 34. This'holds the flexible member in its supported position on the body portion of the presser foot. When it is desired to remove the flexibiernembers, the leaf spring 29 may be raised from engagement with the front end of the flexible member and the rear end is bent downward or flexed sufficient to disengage it ciently hardened to prevent wear of the teeth of the feed dog thereon during chaining It is sufliciently elastic so that when released from strain it will return to its normal shaped condition. Furthermore inasmuch as it is freely attached to the foot portion and not rigid, it has no normal set position relative thereto aside from the set positions determined by the leaf springs. The resulting action of the flexible members is accomplished solely through the leaf springs bearing thereon and particularly the leaf spring bearing thereon adjacent the stitching point. By making this fabric engaging member flexible, it can yield progressively from the front end of the fabric engaging portion to theirear end thereof as the .cross seam passes beneath the same, so that the fabric sections at the stitching point will always be under control regardless of the thickness of the fabric sections at opposite sides of the presser foot and regardless of the passing of cross. seams beneath the presser foot.

t is obvious that minor changesin the details of construction and the arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what'we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body portion having a needle opening therethrough and a slot in front of the opening adapted to. receive the upturned edge portions of fabric sections for the trimming of the same, a flexible fabric engaging member at each side of said slot and extending from front to rear of the foot beneath said body portion, means for supporting said flexible members on said body portion so that. the fabric engaging parts thereof are free to contact with and move out of engagement with the body portion, and independent spring means bearing oneach flexible member and tending to move the same away from the body portion.

2. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body portion having a needle opening therethrough and a slot in front of the opening adapted to receive the upturned edge portions of fabric sections for the trimming of the same, a flexible fabric engaging member at each side of said slot and extending from front to rear of the foot beneath said body portion, means for supporting said flexible members on said body portion so that the fabric engaging parts thereof are free to contact with and move out of engagement with the body portion, and independent leaf springs bearing on each flexible member for holding said flexible member in engagement with the body portion and for moving the fabric engaging portion thereof away from the body portion.

' 3. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body portion having a needle opening therethrough and a slot in front of the opening adapted to receive the upturned edge portions of fabric sections for the trimming of the same, a flexible fabric engaging member at each side of said slot and extending from front to rear of the foot beneath said body portion, means for supporting said flexible members on said body portion so that the fabric-engaging parts thereof are free to contact with and move out of engagement with the body portion, a spring bearing on each flexible member at the forward end thereof for holding said flexible member on said body portion, and spring means bearing on the flexible member in the region of the stitching point and tending to move said flexible member away from the body portion. a

4. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body portion having a needle opening therethrcugh and a slot in front of the opening adapted to receive the upturned edge portions of fabric sections for the trimming of the same, a flexible fabric engaging member. at each side of said slot and extending from front to rear of the foot beneath said body portion, means for supporting said flexible members on said body portion so that the fabric engaging parts thereof are free to contact with and move out of engagement with the body portion. a leaf spring bearing .on the forward end of each flexible member for holding said flexible member .on said body portion, and a leaf spring for each flexible member bearing thereon adjacent the stitching point for moving the same away from the body portion.

5. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body portion having a needle opening therethrough and a slot in front of the opening adapted to receive the upturned edge portions of fabric sections for the trimming of the same, a flexible fabric engaging member at each side of said slot and extending from front to rear of the foot beneath said body portion, said flexible member having a loose connection with said body portion at each end thereof, and spring means bearing on each flexible member for hoiding the same in contact with the body portion and for moving the fabric engaging portion thereof away from the body portion.

6. A presser foot for sewing machines comprise ing a body portion having a needle opening therethrough and a slot in front of the opening adapted to receive the upturned edge portions of fabric sections for the trimming of the same, a flexible fabric engaging member at each side of said slot and extending from front to rear of the foot beneath said body portion, said flexible member having a loose connection with said body portion at each end thereof, a leaf spring bearing on-the forward end of said flexible member for holding said flexible member in engagement with the body portion, and a leaf spring for each flexible member bearing thereon adjacent the stitching point and tending to move the same away from the body portion.

'7. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body portion having a needle opening therethrough and aslot in front of the opening adapted to receive the upturned edge portions of fabric sections for the trimming of the same, a flexible fabric engaging member at each side of said slot and extending from front to rear of the 1 foot beneath said body portion, said flexible member having the forward end thereof bent back ward and overlying the body portion of the presser foot, and the rear end thereof bent upwardly in rear of the body portion, means for loosely supporting the forward end of each flexible member on the body portion and restraining said fiex ible member from lateral movement, and spring means carried by the body portion and bearing on said flexible member for holding said flexible member on said body portion and for moving the fabric engaging portion thereof away from the body portion.

8. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body portion having a needle opening therethrough and a slot in front of the opening adapted to receive the upturned edge portions of fabric sections for the trimming of the same, a flexible fabric engaging member at each side of said slot and extending from front to rear of the foot beneath said body portion, each flexible member being bent back upon itself and slotted so as to overlie and engage a pin on the'forward end of the body portion, the rear end of each flexible member being slotted: for engagement with a lug at the rear end of the body portion, said pin and lug connections restraining said flexible members from lateral movement, and spring means bearing on each flexible member for holding the samein engagement with the body portion and for moving the fabric engaging portion of the flexible member away from the body portion.

.9; A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body portion havinga needle opening therethrough and aslot in front of the opening adapted to receive the upturned edge portions of fabric sections for the trimming of'the same, a flexible fabric engaging member at each side of said slot and extending from front to rear of the foot beneath said body portion, each flexible member being bent back upon itself and slotted so as to overlie and engage a pin on the forward end of the body portion, the rear end of said flexible member being slotted for engagement with a lug at the rear end of the body portion, said pin and lug connections restraining said flexible members from lateral movement, a leaf spring for each flexible member rigidly attached to the body portion and bearing on the forward end of said flexible member for holding said flexible member in engagement with the body portion, and a leaf spring rigidly fixed to the body portion and bearing on said flexible member, adjacent the stitching point for moving the fabric engaging portion thereof away from the body portion.

19. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body portion having a needle opening therethrough and a slot in front of the opening adapted to receive the upturned edge portions of fabric sections for the trimming of the same, a flexible fabric engaging member at each side of said slot and extending from front to-rear of the foot beneath said body portion, means for supporting said flexible members on said body portion so that the fabric engaging parts thereof are free to contact with and move out of engagement with the body portion, independent spring means bearing on each-flexible member and tending to move the same away from the body portion, and means for limiting the action of the spring means when the presser foot is raised from the fabric.

11. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body portion having a needle opening therethrough and a slot in front of the opening adapted to receive the upturned edge portions of fabric sections for the trimming of the same, a flexible fabric engaging member at each side of said slot and extending from front to rear of the foot beneath said body portion, each flexible member being bent-back uponitself and slotted so as to overlie and engage a pin on the forward end of the body portion, the rear end of said flexible member being slotted for engagement with a lug at the rear end of the body portion, said pin and lug connections restraining said flexible members from lateral movement, a leaf spring for each flexible member rigidly attached to the body portion and bearing on the forward end of said flexible member for holding said flexible member in engagement with the body portion, a leaf spring rigidly fixed to the body portion and bearing on said flexible member adjacent the stitching point for moving the fabric engaging portion thereof away from the body portion, and means for limiting the action of the last-named leaf spring when the presser foot is raised from the fabric.

12. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body portion having a needle opening therethrough and a slot in front of the opening adapted to receive the upturned edge portions of fabric sections forthe trimming of the same, a flexible fabric engaging member at each side of said slot and extending from front to rear of the foot beneath. said body portion, each flexible memberbeing bent back upon itself and slotted so as to overlie and engage a pin on the forward end of the body portion, the rear end of said flexible member being slotted for engagement with a lug at the rear end of the body portion, said pin and lug connections restraining said flexible members from lateral movement, a leaf spring for each flexible member rigidly attached to the body portion and bearing on the forward end of said flexible member for holding said flexible member in engagement with the body portion, and a leaf spring rigidly fixed to the body portion and bearing on said flexible member adjacent the stitching point for moving the fabric engaging portion thereof away fro-m the body portion, said last-named leaf spring having an arm contacting with a ledge on the body portion of the presser foot for limiting the movement thereof when the presser foot is raised from the fabric.

13. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body member having a needle opening therethrough, a fabric engaging member mount ed beneath said body member at one side of said needle opening and extending from the front to the rear of said body member, and a spring engaging said fabric engaging member adjacent the needle opening and operating to urge said fabric engaging member downwardly away from said body member.

14. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body member having a needle opening ,therethrough, a fabric engaging member mounted beneath said body member at one side of said needle opening and extending from the front to the rear of said body member, and a spring mounted on said body member and engaging said fabric engaging member adjacent the needle 'opening and operating to urge said fabric engaging member downwardly away from said body member.

15. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body member having a needle opening 'therethrough, a fabric engaging member mounted beneath said body member at one side of said needle opening and extending from the front to the rear of said body member, and a spring engaging said fabric engaging member intermediate the ends thereof and operating to urge said fabric engaging member downwardly away from said body member.

16. A presser foot for sewing machines cornprising a body member having a needle opening therethrough,

gaging member intermediate the ends of said member and operating to urge said member downwardly away from said body member.

17. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body member having a needle opening therethrough, detachable fabric engaging members mounted beneath said body member at opposite sides of said needle opening and extending from the front to the rear ends of said body member, and spring means engaging said fabric engaging members adjacent said needle opening and operating to urge said fabric engaging mem bers downwardly away from said body portion.

18. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body member having a needle opening therethrough, detachable fabric engaging members mounted beneath said body member at opposite sides of said needle opening, spring means mounted on said body member independently of said fabric engaging members and adapted to engage said fabric engaging members adjacent the needle opening and operating to urge said fabric engaging members downwardly away from said body member.

19. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body portion having a needle opening therethrough, detachable fabric engaging members mounted beneath said body member and extending from the front to the rear end thereof, and spring means adapted to engage each of said fabric engaging members intermediate the ends of said members and operating to urge said fabric engaging members downwardly away from said body member.

20. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body member having a needle opening therethrough, a detachable fabric engaging member mounted beneath said body member at one side of said needle opening, means for con fining the movement of said fabric engaging member to movement in a vertical plane, and spring means mounted on said body member independently of the fabric engaging member and engaging said fabric engaging member intermediate the ends thereof and operating to urge said member downwardly away from said body member.

21. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body member having a needle opening therethrough, a detachable fabric engaging member mounted beneath said body member at one side of said needle opening and extending from the front to the rear of said body member, means located at the. front and rear of said body member for preventing lateral movement of said fabric engaging member and means engaging said fabric engaging member adjacent the needle opening operating to urge said fabric engaging member downwardly away from said body member.

22. A presser footfor sewing machines comprising a body member having a needle opening therethrough, a fabric engaging member mounted beneath said body member at one side of said needle opening and extending from the front to the rear of said body member, means mounted on said body member and engaging said fabric engaging member intermediate the ends of said member and operating to urge said fabric engaging member downwardly away from said body member, and means carried by said body member engaging said fabric engaging member at both ends thereof operating to confine said fabric engaging member to movement in a vertical plane.

23. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body member having a needle opening therethrough, a plurality of fabric engaging members mounted beneath said body member and extending from the front to the rear there of, and a spring for each of said fabric engaging members adapted to engage said fabric engaging members adjaeent the needle opening and operating to urge said members downwardly away from said body member.

24. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body member having a needle opening therethrough, a flexible fabric engaging member mounted beneath said body member at one side of said needle opening and extending from the front to the rear of said body member, and yielding means engaging said flexible member adjacent said needle opening operating to urge said fabric engaging member downwardly away from said body member.

25. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body member having a needle open-' ing therethrough, a plurality of flexible fabric engaging members mounted beneath said body member and extending from the front to the rear thereof, and yielding means engaging said fabric engaging members intermediate their ends and operating to urge said fabric engaging members downwardly away from said body member.

26. A presser foot for sewing machines comprising a body member, a flexible fabric engaging member mounted beneath said body member, and yielding means mounted on said body member independently of the fabric engaging member and adapted to engage said fabric engaging member intermediate its ends and operating 

